New Carson City multiplex to be in projection forefront

Los Angeles may be at the forefront of movie production, but Carson City will be at the forefront of movie projection when Galaxy Theatres opens a 10-screen theater next month.

The 2,000-seat theatre, says Galaxy, will feature digital sound, wall-to-wall screens, 3-D capability and the first digital projector in northern Nevada.

Galaxy Theatres LLC specializes in developing and operating multiplex theatres in secondary markets in the western United States.

"We're always looking for growing communities that are underserved in movie theatres," says Rafe Cohen, president and chief operating officer. "We believe there's enough people to draw the traffic."

He points to Galaxy Theatres situated in similar-sized towns such as Monroe, Wash. and Tulare, Calif.

Carson City development officials contacted the chain three years back, but the numbers didn't pencil out, says Cohen. But when Casino Fandango stepped forth as landlord to offer the vacant space, everything changed.

The $15 million multiplex will have 10 auditoriums, each capable of seating from 150 to 400. It will employ 40 when it opens.

Outfitting a movie house with state-of-the-art technology takes a lot of capital, says Cohen.

"But I believe 3-D is going to be the next big thing that happens in the theatre industry," he says.

Back in the 1950s, 3-D complete with special glasses for viewers was a novelty, says Cohen. But now that digital can project 140 images per second 70 images to each eye the human brain can combine the two signals into one image, much the same way as normal eyesight processes two separate views.

"It is extremely lifelike," he says. "It brings great new depth to the viewing experience."

The movie "Beowulf," a 3-D production, will be released in November and shown at Galaxy Theatres. Dreamworks Animation says all new movies are now being readied in 3-D, Cohen adds.

Currently, 700 3-D screens exist in the United States. Just one auditorium at the Carson City Galaxy Theatres will be outfitted for 3-D viewing.

Galaxy signed a 25-year lease, with options to renew, on the 41,000-square-foot building. The company is headquartered in Sherman Oaks, Calif., with 101 screens in California, Washington, Nevada, and Texas.